2015 STEP Award Honorees

"In honor of my mother, I brought to market a pink breast cancer recycling cart. We have sold over 100,000 carts and raised $500,000 for ACS. A large informative graphic on the lid reminds women to practice a healthy lifestyle while the pink cart at the curb has increased awareness.”

As vice president of Cascade Cart Solutions, a division of Cascade Engineering, Inc., Jo-Anne’s industry vision has centered on enabling municipal solid waste customers to reach zero waste not only in the recovery of materials, but also in business operations. Since joining Cascade Cart Solutions in 2001 Perkins has become a widely recognized leader and innovator in North America’s solid waste and recycling industry.

Moving quickly through the management ranks and obtaining the role of general manager of the division within five years, Jo-Anne doubled group revenues through a dual emphasis on new and organic business growth during the economic recession. She initiated smart technology and recycled alternative material manufacturing within the division. While growing the business, she took Cascade’s triple bottom line dedication to building social capital just as seriously, initiating the wildly successful “Pink Cart” campaign.

Jo-Anne is a tireless leader known for her energy, ambition, and drive. A visionary who has the will to see her ideas through to completion, she has a passion for improving the people and world around her. Whether mentoring young women at the start of their career, raising funds for charity, or pursuing an idea to further improve the environmental performance of Cascade Cart Solutions, Jo-Anne demonstrates her passion for people and the planet daily.

In addition to this economic growth and cause awareness work in the industry, Jo-Anne is a member of the National Waste & Recycling Association Women’s Council, working to advance professional development of women in the MSW industry.